Joanne Gracianne Griffiths 1922 – 2001
From the Parish News – September 2001
26th October 1922 - 30th July 2001
Joannie, as all her friends knew her, and as she herself preferred to be called, was the second of three daughters of Major and Mrs Lee-Warner of Denton House, which had been the family home for two generations. She married Capt Arthur Griffiths. They set up home in the Sheffield area and raised their family of one son and three daughters.
Some time in the 1970's Joannie, with Arthur and their youngest daughter Anne, returned to Denton to live at Denton Cottage on Round House Hill, the previous home of Joannie's Aunt Gladys Lee-Warner. Both Arthur and Joannie gave their time and service to help at the church and at village social events, and made many friends in our neighbourhood. The contributor soon became a recipient of their friendship upon his moving to Denton eighteen years ago.
During the early 1990's Joannie and Arthur left Denton to reside at Hingharn, and sadly, after what seemed a very short time, Arthur died. Joannie stayed on at Hingham but also continued to maintain regular contact with all her friends here. Over the last twelve months, her health deteriorated and she moved to Goldborough, Yorkshire to be near her daughter Anne and her family. Joannie finally lost a courageous fight against a cruel disease that attacked her central nervous system.
The funeral was held at Harrogate Crematorium on 3rd August, and was followed by a memorial service at Goldsborough Parish Church, where a moving tribute to Joannie was delivered by Peter, her son, and included an impressive array of complimentary statements made to the family by cards, letters, etc cataloguing Joannie's many admirable qualities.
The memory of Joannie will always be a happy and thankful part of what her friends will carry forward with them.